Backset link



Oct. 4, 1955 E. L. scHLAGE ,2,719,744

BACKSET LINK Filed Aug. 2l, 1951 576./ /7 2 f2 44;; 5i 12 3'/ l mi 5/ INVENTOR. ft/57' 5092 455 United ...States Patent@ 2,719,744 Y BAcKsET LINK 2,719,744 A Y, Patented-.20ct, 4,

stalled therein with my backset link included. Certain parts of the figure are broken away to vreduce itsV size.

Ernest L. Schlage, Burlingame, Calif., assiguor to Schlage Lock Company, a corporation Application August 21, 1951, Serial No. 242,837

Claims. (Cl. 292-1) My invention relates to lock sets and is especially concerned with structure for usein a door to'establish a connection between an actuating unit such as a knob or key turned member, and a latchA bolt unit such as a sliding latch bar, so that the two units can be installed in a door at any selected distance apart within very wide limits.

While it is customary in many lockrsets to provide a direct interconnection between the actuatigunit and the latch bolt unit, and to have a set or establishedeor fixed distance between the rotational axis of-'theactu'ating unit and the edge of the door from which ,theflatch bolt unit projects, it is often desired because'of aneed for additional space, because of doorpanel construction, for aesthetic reasons, for installation ease and for other pur poses, to have some way of connectingv the 'actuating unit and the latch bolt unit with variable spacing. Thisl hasl heretofore been accomplished in part bythe provision of one or more intervening connectors of standard length,V

so that the space between the actuating unit and the latch bolt unit can be established at any one -of avnu'mber of set intervals. This arrangement is shown in the priorV patent of Walter R. Schlage No. 2,250,036 issued July 22, 1941.

While this expedient is satisfactory in many instances, there are other cases in which it is desirable topestablish the spacing at some intervening value. Furthermore, it sometimes happens that the same lock set is installed suc'- cessively in diierent locations, in each of which different spacings are requisite. For these and other reasonsjI have provided a backset link which accomplishes these.

auns. y

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an improved backset link having variable dimensions.

It is another object of my invention toprovide' a structure for interconnecting an actuating unit and a latch bolt unit at selected spacings over a wide range and with infinite variation Within the range.

Another object of my invention is to provide a backset link which cank be set at different spacings at different times.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a Figure 2 is an isometric view of the backsetlink illus;` trated in Figure 1, certain portions ofthe parts being broken away to disclose the interior construction, generally in section on vertical and horizontal planes.

' Figure 3 is an isometric View of additionalconnectors for use with the backset link of Figure 2. y

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a variant from a backset link, a portion being broken away to disclose the interior construction.

Figure 5 is an isometric view, portions being broken away, of a still further modied form of backset link.

In its usual environment, the backset link is incorporated in a door panel 6 of a considerable width and hav-V ing a free edge 7 into which a latch bolt' unit 8 is mounted. The latch bolt unit is preferably 'of the kind shown in the mentioned Schlage patent and incorporates a composite face plate 9 secured by fastenings 10 to the doorpanel 6, and also includes a housing ll-within whicha'latch bolt 12 is longitudinally movable along an axis 13. ,j

The latch bolt is suitably restrained against undueprjection, but is urged outwardly by a coil spring114 surrounding a shank 16 on the latch bolt and interposed between the head 12 of the latch bolt and an end plate 17 within vthe housing 11. The shank16' extends from theA housing and ends in an enlarged T-shaped head 18. TheY housing 11 adjacent the head 18 `is indented and formed tof provide a pair'of diverging anges 19 and 21, defining ai transverse pair of grooves 22. far vdescribed is substantially standard'. n

Located in the door panel 6 ata convenient distance from the edge 7 vis a cross-bore 31 within which an actuating unit 32 is mounted. The actuating unit includes a housing 33 serving as a mounting for a rotary spindle 34,

adapted to be actuated by any customary device such as backset link which is usable with lock sets of a customary Y kind.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a backset link which can readily be installed in the field by unskilled labor, and can easily be set to the desired size.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a backset unit which can be utilized' interchangeably with the type of backset link above identilied.

Another object of my invention is in general to improve backset links. v

Other objects, togethervwith the foregoing,`are attained in the embodiments of the invention described in the accompanying description, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing in which Figure l is a cross-section on a generally central vertical plane through a 'door paneljshowing *a lock-set ininterrupted to afford a pair of cam s'urfaces 36 and 37, bearing against a follower 38 slidable within the'housing 33 along the axis 13. The follower 3 8 isrformed to provide a pair of facingflanges 39 and 41 spaced apart to afford an intervening gap 42. -A' coil spring 43 interposed between the follower. 3 8,and the housing'33 impelsl the spindle normally to'assumean intermediate or neutral;

positionas s'hownin Figure l; 'When the spindle is ro-l tated in either direction, the follower`38 is moved towardthe right in Figure 1 and the spring43 is compressed.

lnthe vicinity of the gap 42 the housing 33 is inter-y rupted' both in its periphery and in lits lateral walls to afford a pair of facing and spaced apart lips 44 and 45. These lips are designed ordinarily for direct engagement, by a lateral or transverse movement, with and inv the grooves 22. When the actuating unitand the latch bolt unit are directly connected and closely spaced, the lips 44 and 4S lie within the grooves 22 andthe T-shaped head 18 of the shank 16 is disposed within and behind the flanges l39 and 41. n

Y Under these conditions, when the follower 38 is actuated the latch bolt 12 is retracted, and .when the spring 14 restores the latch bolt 12 upon release of the spindle. 34, the follower 38 is restored to its normal location.

vFrom the above it isseen that the` follower 38 is, in effect, a driving part, ,and theT-shaped head 1.8. of the shank 16 of the latch bolt 12 isla driven part.

- When it is desired that the actuatingfunit and the latch the clip are ,shaped soth'at they alord hooks,"v There isY The latch bolt-unit as-'s'o consequently provided `an interengaging mechanism so that the housing 33 slides laterally into firm interconnection with the shell 51.

Within the shell is an operating member 56 including a shank 57 `having a T-shaped head 5 8 thereon. This is adapted to beinterengaged with the flanges 39 and 41 of the follower 38. A coil spring 60uis interposed between the clip 53 and an enlargement 59 on Athe shank, and urges the operating member toward the left in Figure l. In a comparable fashion, there is located within the bore adjacent the latch bolt unit a casingl of circular cylindrical configuration having inturned lips 62 and 63, adapted to be engaged in the grooves 22 by relative iateral sliding. The casing on its opposite ends is Vformed `with a head 64,'. serving in part as a mounting for a vspindle tube 66 extending to join an operating element 67, This is formed to provide a pair of `transversely disposed abutments 68 and 69, adapted to be interengaged by a transverse motion with and behind the T-shaped head 13. A pair of inwardly projecting lugs 71 and 72 denne a limited length of space within which the T-shaped head 18 may travel with respect to the element67. Except for this freedom, the connection between the operating element and the shank 16 transmits motion in opposite directions.

Pursuant to the invention, an extensible connector is disposed between the operating element 67 and the operatingrnember 56. In one preferred form, and especially as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector includes a number of parts. Anchored iirmly on the head52 are parallel tubes 81 and 82 disposed within the contines of the bore, and are enlarged at their free ends to afford collarsv83 and 84. Somewhat similarly anchored in the head 64 is a pair of parallel rods 86 and 87, capable of being telescopically received within the tubes 81 and 82.

When the parts are assembled in a telescoping relationship, the spacing of the operating element and the actuating member is set at the distance desired. The fastener includes set screws S8 in the collars 83 and 84 which can be tightened rmly to engage the rods 86 and 87. The spacing of the elements 51 and 61 is established thus a't a selected dimension.

Froman extreme position adjustably set by a stop collar 91, motion is transmitted by an extension of the tube 66, terminating in a collar 92 having a fastening set screw 93.A A rod 94 is extended from the member 56 and is telescopically disposed within the tube 65. When the two elements are so assembled and the ro'd 94 is appropriately anchored by the set screw 93 any motion of the spindle 34 is properly transmitted to the latch boit 12 and the return motion of the latch bolt 12 is appropriately transmitted back to the spindle 34. By merely loosening the set screws S8 and 93 the spacing between the actuating unit and the latch bolt unit 'can be set at any desired dimension. The spacing can be changed at any time that the lock set is out of the door. The alignment of the structure is satisfactory when it is extended to operate over a very large distance, or when it is shortened to make the coupling distance a minimum.

As shown especially in Figure 4, a quite similar arrangement is provided except that'there are no parts corresponding to the tubes 81 and 82, nor to the rods 86 and 8,7. Rather, the interconnection between the regular units of the lock set and the connector end parts is relied upon to hold the lockset link in appropriate location. To afford a motion transmitting device, the operating member 56 is provided with a strap 101 having a vnumber of spaced perforations 102 therein. Similarly, the operating element 67 is provided with an offset strap 103 having a similar series of equally spaced perforation's 104 therein. Fasteners 106 are disposed in any of the registering openings 102 and 104. While this overlap strap arrangement does not give the infinite variation possible with. the Figure 1 and 2 device,- it does give close spacing intervals so that the desired extension is very closely approximated.

As a further modification, it is possible with the Figure 1 and 2 device to omit the shell 51 and the casing 61 and to omit also the tubes 81 and S2 and the rods 86 and 87. This, as illustrated in Figure 5 is accomplished by engaging a shank 107 like the shank 57 with a rod 108 inserted into and telescoped with a tube 109, extended from the operating element 67. A collar 112 provided with a set screw 113 locks the parts in selected extended position. d

Sometimes the extensibility provided by the tubes and rods as shown in Figure 2 is not suicient; for example, in institutionai doors the actuating unit may be several feet from the latch bolt unit. In that case the Figure 2 device is completely separated by withdrawing the rods 86 and 87 from the tubes 81 and 82, and by withdrawing the rod 94 from the tube 66. Individual rods 116 and 117 are introduced into the tubes 81 and 82, and are engaged with rods86 and 87 by the operation of appropriate set screws 121 in collars 122. Also the rod 94 is supplemented by a rod 123, provided with an appropriate collar 122 and set screw 121 and designed to be engaged Y bythe collar `92 and the set screw 93.

What is claimed isz,

1. A backset link for use with a lock set having an actuating unit with a driving part and having a latch bolt unit with a driven part comprising: `a shell adapted to engage said actuating unit, an operating member in said shell and engaging said driving part, a casing adapted to engage said latch bolt unit, an operating element in said casing and engaging said driven part, an extensible connectoif coupling said operating member and said operating element, said connector including two overlapping members translatable relative to each other and so movable into various extended positions, and a fastener for holding said member in any selected one of said extended positions. n

2. A backset link for use with a lock set comprising: a shell, an operating member in said shell, a casing, an operating element in said casing, a pair of extensible connectors iixedto said shelland to said casing and movable into various extended positions, means for holding saidpair of connectors in any selected one of said extended positions, a third extensible connector disposed between said pair of extensible connectors and coupling said operating member and said operating element and movable into various extended positions, and means for holding said third connector in any selected one of said extended positions.

3. A backset link for use with a lock set having an actuating unit with a driving part and having a latch bolt unit with a driven part comprising: a shell adapted to' engage said actuating unit, a pair of guide members fastened in and extending from said shell, an operating member slidable on said guide members and engaging said driving part, a casing adapted to engage said latch bolt unit, a pair of members fastened in and extending from said casing and telescoping with said guide members, means for holding said pair of members and said guide members in any selected telescoped relationship, an operating element in said casing and engaging said driven part, a telescoping connector coupling said operating member and said operating element, and means for holding said telescoping connector in a telescoped relationship corresponding to the selected relationship of said pair of members and said guide members.

4. A backset link for use with a lock set having an actuating unit with a driving part and having a latch bolt unit with a driven part comprising: a first link engaging said driving part, a second link'enga'ging said driven part and mounted for translatoi'y movement relative to said lirst link to permit shifting said tirst and second links relativelyv for selectively adjusting `the effective units together and said actuating unit having a driving 5 part and said latch bolt unit having a driven part, said link comprising: a shell, means on said shell engageable with said interiitting parts on said actuating unit, a first link mounted in said shell for translation relative thereto,

means on said first link for engaging said driving part, 1

a casing, means on said casing engageable with said intertting parts on said latch bolt unit, a second link mounted in said casing for translation relative thereto, means on said second link for engaging said driven part, and a fastener engaging said iirst link and said second link for holding said links in any selected overlapped relationship.

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,661,454 Wilson Mar. 6, 1928 0 2,250,036 Schlage July 22, 1941 2,299,181 Schlage Oct. 20, 1942I 

